A multilingual catalogue contains several kinds of language information. The displayed title, description, original programme language, available audio and selectable subtitles can all differ. A single language label should not be made to stand for every one of those facts.
Start with the household’s actual browsing needs. Someone may want familiar translated titles while listening to original audio, or prefer original titles with English descriptions. The application’s supported metadata fields determine how those choices can be represented.
Preserve the original identity
A translated release title can be a useful alternate name, but it should not merge unrelated works that share a phrase. Keep the work’s supported identifiers and edition context intact. A language preference should improve discovery without erasing the relationship between original and alternate labels.
Likewise, an English description does not prove an English audio track. Programme-language metadata can be incomplete or source-specific, while selectable playback tracks are another observation. Confirm the actual option that matters instead of relying on the language of the poster or summary.
Build a useful arrangement
Avoid translating every visible name automatically as a cleanup operation. Proper names and established release titles can be important recognition cues. An uncertain translation should not replace a verified original label merely to make the library uniform.
- Identify the languages viewers use for browsing and for programme audio.
- Check which metadata and local preference fields the application supports.
- Preserve original and alternate title context where possible.
- Use clear categories without treating them as guarantees of every track option.
- Test a few known works in each relevant language before applying broad changes.
Check migration and search
An export can retain one display title while dropping alternate-language metadata. After migration, a familiar work may therefore be harder to find even though the item remains present. Compare the transferred fields before assuming the catalogue lost the programme.
Search behaviour can also vary by script, accents and matching rules. Preserve accurate text and report the exact query and scope when a known title is not found. Stripping meaningful characters from all names is a poor substitute for understanding the search limitation.
For a correction request, state which layer is wrong: title, description language, programme-language metadata or actual playback options. That specificity avoids a vague demand to “make it English” and helps preserve a library that remains useful to viewers with different language preferences.
Useful answers
Does an English title prove English audio?
No. Display language and playback tracks are separate.
Can an export lose alternate titles while keeping the programme entry?
Yes. Check the field inventory.
Should every original title be replaced with an automatic translation?
No. Preserve reliable identity and familiar release names.